Art History Link-Up: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vacancy

Association for Art History; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) passionate about fundraising and education. In this pivotal role, you will develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies to support the growth of a charity dedicated to providing free art history education. Collaborating with a dedicated team, you will engage with major donors and partners to secure vital funding while ensuring operational excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape strategic initiatives and make a meaningful impact in the education landscape, all within a collaborative and flexible working environment. Join us in transforming access to art history education for students from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Hybrid Working

Professional Growth Opportunities

Collaborative Culture

Impactful Work

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fundraising strategy and securing significant funding.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Drive fundraising success through innovative strategies and donor relationships.
• Ensure operational excellence and compliance with charity regulations.

Skills

Fundraising Strategy

Donor Engagement

Financial Management

Operational Leadership

Relationship Building

Education

Senior-Level Experience in Fundraising

Experience in Education Sector

Job description

Art History Link-Up: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vacancy

Are you an experienced leader passionate about fundraising and making a difference in education? Join Art History Link-Up (AHLU) as our Chief Operating Officer (COO), where you’ll take the lead on strategic fundraising and operational excellence to expand our reach and impact.

As COO, you will:

1. Drive Fundraising Success: Develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies to support AHLU’s growth, focusing on major donors, partnerships, and sustainable revenue streams.
2. Build Donor Relationships: Collaborate with the CEO to engage funders, partners, and stakeholders, cultivating relationships that secure vital funding.
3. Strategic Leadership: Oversee the implementation of AHLU’s growth strategy, ensuring alignment with our mission of providing free art history education to state school students.
4. Operational Excellence: Streamline systems and processes to ensure the organisation runs efficiently, supporting programme delivery and fundraising efforts.
5. Support Governance: Ensure compliance with charity regulations, support effective governance practices, and guide organisational development.

Why Choose Us?

1. Fundraising-Focused Impact: Your work will secure the resources that make free art history education accessible to hundreds of students annually, many from underrepresented backgrounds.
2. Collaborative Culture: Partner with a dedicated CEO, a small but passionate team, and inspiring donors to achieve meaningful change.
3. Professional Growth: Be part of a growing charity, where you’ll shape strategic initiatives and develop new partnerships in an evolving education landscape.
4. Flexibility: Enjoy hybrid working with opportunities to engage with funders and partners in London and beyond.

We’re looking for a fundraising-focused leader who:

1. Brings senior-level experience in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and income generation.
2. Has a track record of successfully securing significant funding from major donors, trusts, and other sources.
3. Excels at building relationships with funders, stakeholders, and partners.
4. Possesses strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting.
5. Can lead strategically while managing operational priorities, ensuring a smooth-running organisation.
6. Shares a passion for education and the arts, with a commitment to AHLU’s mission of making art history accessible to all.

About Art History Link-Up

1. Art History Link-Up is a charity transforming access to art history education for state school students. Since 2016, we’ve taught over 500 students, with many progressing to top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and the Courtauld Institute.
2. Our work makes a difference: over half our students come from minority ethnic or widening participation backgrounds, and they consistently share how AHLU has opened doors to the visual arts and future career opportunities.
3. We’re expanding our programmes and piloting new qualifications in collaboration with prestigious institutions, including the Courtauld and Waddesdon Manor. Join us at this exciting stage as we move towards our 10th anniversary and continue to grow our impact.

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re ready to lead with a focus on fundraising and operational excellence, find out more and apply today here.